Russell Industrial Center

Construction of the 1600 Clay Street site unfolded in distinct phases between 1911 and 1926. Early industrial structures for the C.R. Wilson Body Company and Anderson Electric Car Company occupied parts of the plot between 1911 and 1913. By 1915, John William Murray and his son commissioned Albert Kahn to design a massive new complex along Clay, Morrow, and Marston streets, and the first large reinforced-concrete Kahn buildings opened in 1916.

The Murray Corporation exited the automotive industry in 1955 when automakers brought body manufacturing entirely in-house. In 1960, Packard Properties purchased the complex and renamed it the Russell Industrial Center, subdividing the massive spaces to lease to roughly sixty different light-industrial companies, suppliers, and commercial printers. The property changed hands again in 1970 and has since transformed into a creative hub celebrating one hundred years of Detroit industry, arts, and culture.

The Russell Industrial Center sits at 1600 Clay Street in Detroit's North End neighborhood. The complex is bounded by Clay, Morrow, and Marston streets, with the main signature building facing Russell Avenue to the south. The North End location positions the venue within Detroit's industrial corridor, an area shaped by the city's automotive manufacturing heritage.

Event information identifies spaces such as Expo and Building 6 within the larger complex. Confirm the named room, entrance and event layout before arriving. The overall campus floor area is not an event capacity and does not indicate that every building is open to ticket holders.

Recent events have included electronic music performances, rock concerts, and all-ages shows. Some events are designated 18-and-over, while others, such as certain Hot Mulligan performances, are marked as all-ages. The venue's programming spans electronic acts, indie and punk bands, experimental music, and themed gatherings including markets and specialty events.

More than 100 artists maintain studios and workshops at the Russell. These are working spaces, distinct from the public areas opened for an event. A concert ticket should not be treated as permission to enter private studios or tour the entire campus. Contact the center separately about studio visits or another organized activity.

The administrative office schedule is Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. These are not concert hours. Doors, performance starts and age requirements vary by event, so use the exact booking’s information rather than the office schedule.

Questions about specific events can be directed to [email protected], while general inquiries may be sent to [email protected]. The venue's event calendar is maintained on the Russell Industrial Center website, where ticketing information and sold-out notices are posted.